Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-04-04
KISSANE AGAIN.
The Story of a Forger,
Who Reformed
WHEN HE STRUCK THE COAST,

But. Who Caused the Death of Many
People by His Former
Avarice.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.
New YORK, April 3.-The Tribune
to-day has long article in regard to to
famous Billy Kissane. 1t begins by
saying that Recorder Smyth did not re.
ceive to-day written proof of the au-
thority which he had asked j. B. Hart,
who declared himself counsel for Kis-
sane, to produce as evidence that he
was chosen attorney for Kssane. Then
follows a carefully worded statement,
which is attributed to an official who is
acquainted with every step that has
been taken. 1t points out that the in.
dictment which Hart sought to have
nolie prosecuted was practically out
lawed; that at no time did he ever
stand in any danger OF prosecution under
it, as he had been pardoned for an
offence committed OF the same time;
that aside from q sentimental desire to
have the matter settled there was no
reas on why he should have done any.
thing about it; that the most natural
thing, if he had consulted good
lawyer, would have been to communicate
with o good lawyer here and have had
the thing done quietly, instead of stir.
ring up The matter as has been done. And
so the article proceeds at considerable
length, having much to be read between
the times. At one point it points out the
difference that Hart instead OF being
Kissane's attorney, appears rather as
aiding his enemies ty stirring up the
matter; at another point referring to the
amount of feeling which he displayed
When tears sprang to his eyes. 1t leaves
the inference to be drawn that his rela-
ton to the case is closer than that of an
attorney-such, for instance, as "a relu.
tive under an assumed name." 1t asserts
that Mr.. Hart has made several visits to
the city in regard to the matter, the frs.
nearly year ago. The article continues: !:
News was received in this city early
in the afternoon that Kissane's present
name had been revealed in San Francis.
CO, and that the whole history of his
career had been simultaneously told
The Tribune reporter called upon
George G. Williams, President of
the Chemical Bank, and he stated:
this report to him. MIR. Williams
thought moment and then said that
the Chemical Bank had from the outset
declined to make Kissane's assumed
name known, leaving the identification
to come from other sources, should it
come at all. "Yet the name has not been
given out saidMr. Williams, adding: "Just
wait moment" He left his private of.
flee for two or three minutes and, after
consultation, returned with telegraph
message covering four or five Telegraph
blanks and said: II have received this
telegram from General Darr, and l will
read you line of it," and Mr.. Williams
ran bis eyes over the telegram and then
read aloud: II have revealed Kissane's
identity" Then Mr.. Williams said:
"You will have to wait till the name is
telegraphed from San Francisco and get
the information that way. / arm sorry
for Kssanc's family that this matter
should come out, but from all l can see
IT is the fault of his lawyer, j. B. Hart,
who came on here to have The lndict-
ment quashed. Hart did not Ct
quietly what he wanted at the
District Attorneys office, and so be
in open court aud attracted
public attention to the whole matter.
Not content with that he began abusing
General Darr, who had been nearly
ruined by Kissane's rascality, and the
result is that General Darr has revealed
the mans identity. Hart's handling of
the matter is the worst piece
of bungling I ever heard of. The
bank did not know that he
was here or that the matter was going
on until Hart appeared in open court.
He has not been near us as you may
naturally expect" "Did you know
before that Kis,ane was living in or near
San Francisco under an assumed manner"
MIR. Williams was asked. "Yes, said
he, 1--WE knew of it year ago."
Mr.. Williams was asked auout
that phase of the matter which
presents Kissane as a repentant Grim.
inal, who had long been leading a re.
peptant life. "That is not so," he re.
Piled promptly. "Kissane is bad
through and through. He is wonder
fully bright man and equally as bad.
He has been leading bad lite since he
left here. So far from being reformed,
the last time heard Of him lie was on
spree. He not only nearly ruined Gen.
Dare, but after he became prosperous
and General Darr recognized him he re.
fused to make good the sum, for the loss
of which he was responsible. He him.
self is deserving of no sympathy; l am
sorry for his family, however," As to
the statement that Kissane had com
mitted forgeries on the American
or Continental Bank, Mr.. Williams
said that the papers merely passed
through these banks, the loss failing
upon the Chemical Bank. While at Sing
Sing Kissane offered to make full con-
fessIon of the Martha Washington steam.
boat conspiracy. He was liberated and
made full confession OF the efforts to
secure the insurance. The confession
occupied about 100 pages OF foolscap.
His gang was one OF the most compie1e
organ cations ever k1 own in this country.
He violated his promise to the insurance
companies and fled to Nicaragua where,
nader an assumed name, it was reported
that he been shot. His career in Cali
ifornia under another assumed name
is we'll ll.known.
CLEvELANp, O., April S.-The Leader
will tomorrow publish an another inter-
es,ing installment of the story OF sidney
| c. Burton's efforts to run down William
Kissane. 1t says: EVERY ae'ail OF
script. and is now in the POSSESSION of
the daughter of Burton, Mrs; Frances
II. Bouman, of 95 State street. The doeu-
mentary evidence includes the manuscript
of the book written by Mr.. Burton and a
voluminous correspondence with persons
interested in the case, complete the story
of Kissane's career. In 1891 Mr' Dur
| hl;uhad fnr eight wars